Health Food Stores
Allston
Wild Oats (formerly Wild Harvest)
This is a natural foods "section" that is located inside the Star Market. They may not have the kind of selection of natural foods that the "free standing" Wild Oats have, but they'll have some stuff. For more information, see the Medford Wild Oats listing. 1065 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, MA (617) 783-5878.
Bedford
Nature's Heartland
170 Great Road, Bedford. (617) 275-8264). Hours: Mon-Sun 8:30 am - 9 pm. Directions: From Rte. 128, take exit 31B (Rts. 4 & 225); approx. 1.7 miles on your right. I haven't been here yet, and the Bedford store isn't exactly "Boston area", but I feel so sorry for any vegetarians living in the Wilmington area (about 30 minutes north of Boston), I just had to include them. From the looks of their web site, it seems like an impressive place, an oasis within a vast wasteland (from a natural food point of view). Route 128 is billed as the "Silicon Valley of the East Coast," but apparently this high-tech, visionary attitude does not yet extend to food. They also have a store in Newtonville, just off the Mass. Pike.
Boston
Bread & Circus
They have five stores in the "greater Boston area," and carry a decent selection of items, but I tend to find them rather pricey. They're owned by Whole Foods Market, the nation's #1 chain of natural food supermarkets. 15 Westland Avenue, Boston (617) 375-1010.
Brighton
Wild Oats (formerly Wild Harvest), inside Star Market
This is a Wild Oats that is located inside the Star Market. 370 Western Ave., Brighton, MA (617) 787-5266.
Brookline
Bread & Circus Whole Foods Market
(15 Washington Street, Brookline (617) 738-8187). See description for their Boston store.
Trader Joe's
(1317 Beacon Street (Coolidge Corner). (617) 278-9997). Hours: Mon-Sun 9 am - 10 pm. This is a cool store, with lots of natural foods and gourmet type foods at *really great* prices. Terrific selection of cheap beer and wine, too! They have two stores in the Boston area, although I've only been to the one on Memorial Drive in Cambridge. See their web site for more information.
Cambridge
Bread & Circus
115 Prospect St., Cambridge (near Central Square) (617) 492-0070. See description for their Boston store.
Bread & Circus - 186 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge (near Alewife T-stop) (617) 491-0040. See description for their Boston store.
Cambridge Naturals
Unfortunately, they no longer stock organic fruit and vegetables or natural grocery products, but you can still get sandwiches and drinks here. They also stock the area health food magazines, and an excellent selection of herbs, vitamins, supplements, and personal care products. Porter Square (next to Tags Hardware), 23 White Street, Cambridge, MA - (617) 492-4452. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 11-6 p.m. Visit their site.
Harvest Co-op
An excellent source for natural foods, including many organic fruits and vegetables, cheap filtered water, a deli with great soups and sandwiches, and a salad bar. They now have a cafe at the Mass. Ave. side of the store, with healthy food and drink, and a nice space to hang out. Also, a decent selection of herbs, vitamins, supplements and body care items. For a small yearly fee, you can become a member and get a 2% discount on all purchases. If you put in some hours of work, you receive a bigger discount. (581 Massachusetts Avenue (Central Square). (617) 661-1580). Hours: Mon-Sun 9 am-9 pm. Check out their web site.
Marino Center Natural Foods
Mostly vitamins, supplements and body care items, but they do have a small selection of packaged groceries and some items in bulk (staples like brown rice, spelt flour, etc.) See their listing in the healing section. 2500 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA (617) 661-6124. Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am-8 pm, Sat 9 am-5 pm.
Pemberton Farms
A decent smaller natural foods and specialty foods store, located next to their garden center on Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge. You can visit their mail order catalog for an idea of the types of items they stock, but the site doesn't mention their store at all (as far as I can see). (2172 Massachusetts Avenue, North of Porter Square. (617) 876-2711). Call for their hours. I believe they're open 8am - 9pm.
Trader Joe's
See the listing for their Brookline store (727 Memorial Drive, Cambridge - behind Strawberries; next to Micro Center. (617) 491-8582). Hours: Mon-Sun 9 am - 9 pm.
Wild Oats (formerly Wild Harvest), inside Star Market
This is a Wild Oats that is located inside the Star Market. 699 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, MA (617) 354-7299. Open 24 hours, except for Sun. 12-7 a.m.
Wild Oats (formerly Wild Harvest), inside Star Market
They have some organic fruit and vegetables (very unpredictable), bulk foods, and packaged health food items. Also, a juice bar. 49 White St. (Porter Square), Cambridge, MA (617) 492-5566. Open 24 hours, except for Sun. 12-7 a.m.
Medford
Wild Oats
2151 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford, MA (617) 395-4998. Hours: Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun 8 a.m.-8 p.m. This natural foods store is owned by the Star Market chain. There are Wild Oats stores located *inside* selected Star Markets, but this Medford store is an actual Wild Oats. Strong points: they have a large juice bar there, an excellent fruit and vegetables section (with easy-to-read signs stating what's commercially grown and what's organic, as well as what's locally grown), and they sell pre-packaged sushi at the fish counter. Note: you can also buy this packaged sushi at most — if not all — Star Market stores (and it's actually not too bad!).
Newton
Bread & Circus
916 Walnut Street, Newton, MA (617) 969-1141. See description for their Boston store.
Nature's Heartland
(647 Washington Street, Newton, MA (617) 965-2070). Hours: Mon-Sat 7 am - 10 pm; Sun 10 am - 7 pm. Directions: From the Mass Pike, take exit 17 (Newton); approx. 1/2 mile down Washington Street, on your right. For description, see their Bedford listing.
Wellesley
Bread & Circus
278 Washington Street, Wellesley (617) 235-7262.
Best Places For Organic Fruit & Vegetables
All of the stores listed above offer organic produce; however, some are better than others. For a consistently large selection, Harvest Co-op is probably the best. Wild Oats (the standalone ones) are good because they also list what's grown locally, but they don't always have the same items available. An honorable mention goes to Evergood Super Market, 1674 Mass. Ave., Cambridge (near Cambridge Naturals) (617) 354-8331. A small conventional market, they began stocking a few organic vegetables when Cambridge Naturals stopped selling them.
Restaurants
First, a little disclaimer here: There are an infinite number of restaurants in Boston. If I mentioned *only* the absolutely fabulous ones, I would never get this web site online. Therefore, I'm only mentioning some I've gone to and really enjoyed.
Boston
Gyuhama of Japan
(Japanese) 827 Boylston Street, Boston (opposite the Prudential Center). (617) 437-0188. Hours: Open daily for lunch, dinner and late night dining 'till 2:00 a.m. "The Rolls Royce of Japanese Restaurants in Boston," IMHO. Home of the Midnight Rock 'n' Roll Sushi. If you're *really* hungry or if you go with someone, order one of their boats — you won't be disappointed. Excellent sushi. Wildly busy, but nice atmosphere. Big sushi bar. Parking is a nightmare, but it's well worth the hassle — or take the train.
No-Name Restaurant
(Seafood) 15 1/2 Boston Fish Pier South, Boston. (617) 338-7539 or (617) 423-2705. Hours: Mon-Sat 11 am - 10 pm; Sun 11:30 am - 9 pm. Forget Legal's, forget the over-rated and over-priced Anthony's Pier 4 — this place rules for seafood. Unpretentious and casual atmosphere, no-nonsense baked, broiled or fried seafood. Small but satisfying menu (nothing too fancy, but everything is excellent). Overlooks Boston Harbor. If you want after-dinner entertainment, you can walk around the back to the pier and feed the seagulls your leftovers.
Brookline
Takeshima Restaurant
(Japanese) 308 Harvard Street, Brookline (near Coolidge Corner). (617) 566-0200. Hours: Call for hours. If you don't feel in the mood to handle downtown Boston for Gyuhama, this place is almost as good, with a cozier atmosphere, and plenty of easy parking behind the restaurant (accessed by turning right onto Beacon Street from Harvard Street, and taking your first right). Great sushi. Much mellower than Gyuhama, but they can get busy, so it might be a short wait.
Cambridge
Christopher's Restaurant & Bar
(American/Mexican) 1920 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge. (617) 876-9180. Call for hours. Fairly decent sized place, but still dark and cozy. Nice atmosphere, with local artwork gracing the walls. Good selection of vegetarian entrees; both American and Mexican-style food (highly recommended, especially the Chimachungas); sandwiches, soups, salads, fish and meat dishes. Bonus Points: they have a lit fireplace in the winter months, and have purified water (by request, for a little $, but not much). They serve lunch and dinner Mon-Fri, and have Sunday (and Saturday) brunch until 3 pm, with live entertainment (usually a solo guitar or light jazz).
Middle East Restaurant
(take a wild guess) 472 Massachusetts Avenue (Central Square). (617) 492-1886 (take-out; restaurant number). Hours: Mon-Wed 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Thurs & Fri 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-11 p.m. On Sat and Sun, they serve a Middle Eastern style brunch with veggie omlettes, belgian waffles, and fruit (who knew?). Surprisingly good food for a club, but then the Middle East is no ordinary club (see also Middle East, in the club section). Lots of superb hot veggie (and non-veggie) dishes, a mean falafel sandwich, and great late night munchies like hummos with pita bread and stuffed grape leaves. The Place To Be, Bohemia-Central, Spot-The-Famous Or Soon-To-Be Famous Band Member — you get the idea.
Wok & Roll
(Chinese) Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge (across from Porter Square). (617) 497-8638. Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Sun 12 noon-10:00 p.m. Small place, but great food. Luncheon specials until 4:00 p.m. Excellent hot & sour soup. They now have a liquor license (beer & wine).
Yenshing
(Chinese) 1326 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge (Harvard Square). (617) 547-1130. Call for hours. Very good Chinese food, and an *amazing* hot & sour soup (highly recommended during flu season).
Quincy
Haay Fatty!!
(Health Food; Vegetarian) 1659 Hancock St., Quincy center. They serve a wide variety of healthy foods: salads, sandwiches, whole wheat pasta dishes, vegetarian platters and sandwiches, dinner plates, smoothies and soy milk frappes, etc. Hours: Mon-Thurs 10:30am - 9pm; Fri until 8pm; Sat 11-6pm. They'll be opening Sundays soon, and eventually extending their hours. They claim to have "THE best tasting and healthiest food in all of New England," so check 'em out!
Somerville
Johnny D's Uptown Restaurant & Music Club
(Yuppie Roadhouse) 17 Holland Street, Somerville (1/2 block North of Davis Square T-stop). (617) 776-2004. Hours: Tues-Sat 4:30 - 9:30 pm; Sat and Sun Brunch 9:30 am - 2:30 pm. Surprisingly good food, for a club. Music seven nights a week, with a Blues Jam every Sunday 4:30 - 8:30. A varied menu, featuring many Southern influenced dishes and vegetarian items, burgers and more esoteric yuppie stuff (like things made with brie and boursin). They also serve Sunday jazz brunch featuring live music (good but crowded; expect a wait). See also Johnny D's Music Club.
Renee's Cafe
(American w/occasional esoteric stuff - serves breakfast & lunch) 198 Holland Street, Somerville. (617) 623-2727. Hours: Tues.-Fri. 7 a.m.-1:30 pm; Sat.-Sun. 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wonderful place for breakfast or lunch. Great breakfasts and very reasonable prices, but can be wildly crowded on the weekends (no waiting list, so people just line up outside). Also can be quite noisy, as it tends to be a very young crowd, but the food is worth it. Interesting omlette specials on the weekends. Check out the Veggie Supreme omlette! Terrific home fries and coffee, too.
Thai Hut
(Thai) 93 Beacon Street, Somerville. (617) 492-8377; 492-8534. Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sun. 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Excellent food, at very reasonable prices. They also have a small selection of packaged Thai foods and drinks. Take-out only.
Other Resources in the Boston Area
Boston Vegetarian Society
They sponsor vegetarian events and educate people about vegetarianism. P.O. Box 38-1071, Cambridge, MA 02238-1071 (617) 424-8846.
Kushi Institute
They're in Western Mass., but they have many interesting workshops, and they sell macrobiotic foods by mail order. P.O. Box 7, Becket, MA 01223-0007 (413) 623-5741.
Vegetarian Resource Center
This group is based locally, with lots of articles, recipes, and information about Boston area events. Formerly located in Cambridge, they now reside in the decidedly more serene Sherborn, MA.
For Non-Vegetarians: Natural Beef Products
Produced Locally! - River Rock Farm, located in Brimfield, MA, raises their own all-natural beef cattle and sells USDA inspected, dry aged beef to retail customers and restaurants throughout the area.
They offer a wide variety of retail cuts including steaks, roasts, kabobs, hamburgers, and their own all-beef hot dogs. Their meat is available year round to Boston area customers through their home and office delivery service, by appointment at the farm, and, in the summer and fall, at Boston area farmers' markets. For home delivery, they ask that customers place their orders for Mondays and Saturdays and order a minimum of $20 of product.
Customers can call or email anytime to request a menu with a description of each cut they have available. Their cattle are raised in pastures, not feedlots, and are not given artificial growth hormones or artificial feed additives. Their beef comes only from their own corn-fed choice steers. All meats are processed at small, local, USDA inspected plants.
They're a small family farm committed to providing their customers with the healthiest, freshest, and best tasting meat available. Customers are welcome to make an appointment to visit the farm or call, 7 days a week, with orders or any questions.
For more information, contact River Rock Farm by calling or faxing 413.245.0249, or emailing them at RiverRockFarm@juno.com.
